Search for oil in Jamaican waters intensifies

The search for oil in Jamaican territorial waters has intensified with the British exploration firm, Tullow Oil, announcing that it is moving to three-dimensional (3D) seismic surveys.

Energy Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley says Tullow has been encouraged by the findings from 18 months of 2D surveys and have decided to move to 3d surveys.

Addressing the official opening of the inaugural Natural Gas Conference yesterday in New Kingston, Wheatley said this is the first time since the search for oil and gas began in Jamaican waters that a company has decided to carry-out a detailed survey of the offshore.

He says the development will send a signal to other prospective explorers to consider Jamaica.

The Energy Minister says this will also enhance efforts by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica to enlist other explorers to take up the remaining 20 offshore blocks.